Introduction

In Canada and abroad, the effects of climate change are becoming evident. Impacts such as coastal erosion, thawing permafrost, increases in heat waves, droughts, flooding, ecosystem changes, risks to critical infrastructure, and food and water security are already being felt.

As a result, the federal government is taking action. This Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy (DSDS) will serve as a supplementary table to the Departmental Plan (DP) to the end of fiscal year 2019-2020, to guide the department in its commitment to sustainable development. Performance is reported upon annually in the Departmental Results Report (DRR).

Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEA)

The CBSA is committed to sustainable development by integrating environmental considerations into its decision making processes. Under the Guidelines for Implementing the Cabinet Directive on the Environmental Assessment of Policy, Plan and Program Proposals, the CBSA completes a strategic environmental assessment at the earliest planning stages of a CBSA-led policy, plan, or program in order to mitigate negative environmental impacts and enhance positive ones. The assessment also allows the CBSA to identify and address environmental issues in context with economic and social considerations. Once reviewed and approved by the Agency's senior management, strategic environmental assessments are submitted through Memoranda to Cabinet and Treasury Board Submission processes, where the Minister of Public Safety is the sole signatory or a co-signatory only.

Section 1 – Overview of the Federal Government's Approach to Sustainable Development

The Government of Canada is a signatory to the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and has enacted several pieces of legislation to meet our emissions reduction targets, grow the economy, and build resilience to a changing climate, including the:

Section 2 - Agency Commitments under FSDS

This CBSA DSDS covers the period of 2019-2020, focusing on four of the FSDS goals:

Greening Government

Healthy Wildlife Populations

Sustainable Food

Safe and Healthy Communities

Greening Government

The Government of Canada has a large real property portfolio that uses a significant amount of energy. Our large footprint means we have an opportunity to support the transition to a low-carbon economy, stimulate the clean tech sector, contribute to Canada’s international climate change commitments, and achieve cost savings. This includes greening our procurement, lowering our emissions and encouraging the transition to the clean economy.

Long-Term Goal: The Government of Canada leads by example through operations that are low-carbon, resilient and green.

FSDS- GGS Targets

Reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions from federal government buildings and fleets by 40% below 2005 levels by 2030 (with an aspiration to achieve it by 2025) and 80% below 2005 levels by 2050

Starting in the 2019 to 2020 fiscal year, 75% of new light-duty administrative fleet vehicle purchases will be zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) or hybrids, with the objective that the government’s administrative fleet comprises at least 80% ZEVs by 2030. Priority is to be given to purchasing ZEVs

Divert at least 75% (by weight) of all non-hazardous operational waste (including plastic waste) by 2030, and divert at least 90% (by weight) of all construction and demolition waste (striving to achieve 100% by 2030), where supported by local infrastructure

The CBSA will disclose and take steps to reduce the most significant carbon and broader environmental footprints of their purchasing

Conduct an assessment of Green Procurement opportunities with emphasis on minimizing carbon and reducing waste

Healthy Wildlife Populations

Canada's plants and animals, together with the environments where they live, make up the ecosystems that benefit Canadians through valuable services such as providing food, medicine, and oxygen, controlling floods, and pollination. Maintaining biodiversity helps to ensure that ecosystems can continue to function and provide the services that all life depend on.

Long-Term Goal: All species have healthy and viable populations

FSDS Targets

By 2020, species that are secure remain secure, and populations of species at risk listed under federal law exhibit trends that are consistent with recovery strategies and management plans

By 2020, pathways of invasive alien species introductions are identified, and risk-based intervention or management plans are in place for priority pathways and species

The CBSA’s Performance Indicators Against FSDS Targets*

Number of commercial containers and shipments inspected for wood-packaging material (WPM) or goods contaminated with soil

Number of interceptions of live pests in WPM and of non-compliant food, plant and animal goods

Number of containers and shipments ordered removed from Canada for reasons of non-compliance with phytosanitary requirements for WPM or contamination with soil

Number of food, plant and animal investigations resulting in conviction

* The CBSA’s enforcement actions are not distinguished according to the FSDS Goal categories of Healthy Wildlife Populations and Sustainable Food, but the performance indicators listed speak to both goals

The CBSA’s Contributing Actions

In order to protect biodiversity, the CBSA will work to deter the introduction of invasive alien species, and plant and animal diseases into Canada. Action is taken in partnership with other federal departments and agencies, provinces and territories, and other domestic and international partners. Statistics for food, plant, and animal interceptions at the border will be reported annually.

To prevent the introduction of wood-boring pests, as well as plant and animal diseases found in non-manufactured wood or in soil, the CBSA will continue to enforce the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA) Plant Protection Act, as well as the Health of Animals Act at the border by inspecting shipments containing WPM and shipments containing goods contaminated with soil. All non-compliant shipments are ordered removed from Canada. The number of WPM and soil inspections, interceptions of live wood-boring pests, and shipments ordered removed from Canada will be reported annually

The CBSA will continue to work with Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) and Canadian provinces to prevent aquatic invasive species, such as Asian carp and zebra mussels, from entering Canada. The CBSA will continue to work with Environment and Climate Change Canada to prevent the introduction of invasive terrestrial animals and plants and their related diseases into Canada

Sustainable Food

Canada's food system, including agriculture, aquaculture, and fisheries provides safe and healthy food for Canadians, helps ensure long-term food security, and is an important part of our economy. Protecting our environment, including freshwater and soil quality, will help ensure our food systems continue to feed Canadians and create jobs over the long term.

Long-Term Goal: Innovation and ingenuity contribute to a world-leading agricultural sector and food economy for the benefit of all Canadians

FSDS Target

Improve the Index of Agri-Environmental Sustainability by 2030

The CBSA’s Performance Indicators Against the FSDS Target*

Number of commercial containers and shipments inspected for wood-packaging material (WPM) or goods contaminated with soil

Number of interceptions of live pests in WPM and of non-compliant food, plant and animal goods

Number of containers and shipments ordered removed from Canada for reasons of non-compliance with phytosanitary requirements for WPM or contamination with soil.

Number of food, plant, and animal investigations resulting in conviction

* The CBSA’s enforcement actions are not distinguished according to the FSDS Goal categories of Healthy Wildlife Populations and Sustainable Food, but the performance indicators listed speak to both goals

The CBSA’s Contributing Actions

Through the enforcement actions of the Border Services agents, the CBSA will continue to work in partnership with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) to ensure compliance at the border with the CFIA's legislation and regulations with respect to food safety and plant and animal health. Statistics for food, plant, and animal interceptions at the border will be reported annually.

Safe and Healthy Communities

The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring Canadians live in clean, safe environments that contribute to their health and well-being. While chemicals are part of our everyday lives and provide many benefits, they can also be harmful if not properly managed. Managing these substances, as well as assessing and remediating contaminated sites protects the environment, the health of Canadians, and benefits Canada’s economy.

Long-Term Goal: All Canadians live in clean, sustainable communities that contribute to their health and well-being

FSDS Target

By 2020, address the approximately 4,300 substances identified as priorities for action under the Chemicals Management Plan

The CBSA’s Performance Indicators Against the FSDS Target

Remediation of harmful substances on federal lands

Percentage of storage tanks compliant to federal regulations

Development of a radon compliance action plan

Development of an asbestos action plan to implement the recommended action measures from Asbestos Management Plans (AMPs)